What kind of flathead V8 is this?
 

Anybody have any idea? http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338623363.jpg

Maybe a Cadillac?

edit: no, i think the distributor was in the back of a Caddy flathead.

Maybe a Packard?

Packard? Naw that would be a straight 8. hmmm Twin side mounted spare tires...this was a big touring car I think. I guessing Rolls Royce.

Here's the rest of it. Sitting near Joshua Tree. No emblems or anything on the truck to be found.
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rusty,frozen and dead

Nothing wrong there....it will "buff out"

ahhhhh it's a truck..that's different. I have no idea.

Heck, pull it outn and tear it down.

~ 34 American companies made flathead / L head engines (according to Hemmings).

How many of those would have had an aluminum crankcase and center-valley exhaust? I would think that those features would provide the biggest clues.

That is a "L" series Lincoln engine made from 1919 to the early 30s. Designed by Henry Leland when he started Lincoln it was produced pretty much unchanged by after the Ford takeover of Lincoln. Its a great engine (I've owned 2) but a much better runner with a downdraft carb conversion tha uses a fors 2 bbl 302 carb. L head (Flathead) with unbelievably long valves!

Those Lincoln motors ruled. Unreal build quality. My bro' just finished one and will post a few pics maybe later tonight. The rod's are a piece of art. The block is ground smooth and finished and one could only imagine the dust flying at the foundry. The large crank journals. Everything overbuilt... a jewel. Oddly, long stroke but man that thing revs and pulls strong. By the way, parts are extraordinary rare and VERY pricey. They are a very low production car and true specials. Far surperior to the Cadillac of the same era.

Art in the desert... screw that, can I take it?

A Lincoln truck?

That carcass is an art piece. I'd love to have that sitting in my yard as it is.


Trouble is, I'd find a way to work on it.

I agree with the cranky wanker.....lawn art....

The "truck" is most likely a 4 door sedan, that was cut down, and a pickup bed put on the back. The dual side mounts for spare tires indicate an upper level car. Doing this to a large sedan from the late 20's was common practice during the late 30's and the war years, as these cars were a dime a dozen. Duesenbergs could be had for hundreds of dollars at the time.

'30 Lincoln V8. After seeing many auto motors from the early years, I'd have to say, Henry Leland mindset clearly paved the way for Lincoln as being one of the best.


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wow. That is ridiculous.

So should I head back out there with some tools?

You're probably joking, but if not, just remember this...

...because to get that engine rebuilt and running, would be very pricey. And you'd have to really hop it up to get much horsepower out of it.

An expensive novelty item.

But hey, you could pull it out and throw it on ebay as is and see what it would bring.

Looks like you won't have been the first to do so.

You should head out there with a tow truck and grab the entire thing. I sure would!

Well worth dragging out or at least pulling the motor out of there. I'd love to have that motor for a vintage rat rod build. Minimum $10k + in motor parts as is- for just the block, cylinders, etc.. Frequent problem with these early engines sitting out in the weather is the cylinder water jacket cast iron internally are corroded leaving a very thin wall. So when an owner thinks he has a nice car but always runs hot or worse weeps a little, he's going to weep more once learning the cylinder block assembly is virtually non-salvageable and replacement or good ones are un-obtanium. As simple as a V8 flathead may be, as an example for that Lincoln motor an engine gasket kit is $600.

Many pretty and cosmetic detailed 1920's and 30's cars cross the auction lots but very few are sorted and run correctly. This goes for Pebble Beach level cars... run just enough to cross the lawn. Most collectors just accept that fact and these classic cars become trailer queen's for trophies but are leakers and not touring capable. But, if you ever get a chance to drive a 30's era big car, awesome ride especially on modern paved roads. Enormous wheels eat the road bumps and these Lincolns are geared to cruise all day 70 mph yet you have to remind yourself of driving habits (need adjustment... save some space for braking). There's something always interesting and appreciated of these handbuilt cars.

Is that on Public land or Private property?
What are the legal issues with stealing the parts from it?

Lincoln engine at the Nethercutt

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